Of Mice and Men Study Guide for English Literature

In John Steinbeck's classic novella, we see two friends working through the farmlands in California during the time of the Great Depression. In this study guide for GCSE, we examine Of Mice and Men in detail, looking at the myriad of themes involved, the key characters, its context, the structure and the setting as well as giving a detailed step-by-step guide to each chapter, so you can easily follow the book and to prepare you for your exams.

The Grapes of Wrath

Shocking and controversial when it was first published, Steinbeck's Pulitzer prize-winning epic remains his undisputed masterpiece. Set against the background of Dust Bowl Oklahoma and Californian migrant life, it tells of the Joad family, who, like thousands of others, are forced to travel west in search of the promised land.

To Kill a Mockingbird

'Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit 'em, but remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird.' A lawyer's advice to his children as he defends the real mockingbird of Harper Lee's classic novel - a black man charged with the rape of a white girl. Through the young eyes of Scout and Jem Finch, Harper Lee explores with exuberant humour the irrationality of adult attitudes to race and class in the Deep South of the '30s.

An Inspector Calls (Classic Radio Theatre)

The Birling family are spending a happy evening celebrating the engagement of Sheila Birling to Gerald Croft - a marriage that will result in the merging of two successful local businesses. Yet, just when everything seems to be going so well, they receive a surprise visit from an Inspector Goole who is investigating the suicide of a young girl.

Animal Farm

Animal Farm is George Orwell's great socio-political allegory set in a farmyard where the animals decide to seize the farmer's land and create a co-operative that reaps the benefits of their combined labours. However, as with all great political plans, some animals see a bigger share of the rewards than others and the animals start to question their supposed utopia.

Lord of the Flies

A plane crashes on a desert island and the only survivors, a group of schoolboys, assemble on the beach and wait to be rescued. By day they inhabit a land of bright fantastic birds and dark blue seas, but at night their dreams are haunted by the image of a terrifying beast. As the boys' delicate sense of order fades, so their childish dreams are transformed into something more primitive, and their behaviour starts to take on a murderous, savage significance.

Combined for great value! The multi award-winning SmartPass study guide with and without commentary options. This is a full-cast, unabridged performance with comprehensive commentary and analysis for any student to fully understand and appreciate the play. Peel away the layers of Priestley's complex drama to appreciate this powerful warning, wrapped up in the genre of a gripping detective story, and truly understand that "We don't live alone. We are members of one body."

The Outsiders

What defines a family? That is the underlying question in the life of Pony Boy Curtis. When his parents die in a car wreck, he comes to depend on the love, friendship and support of his two older brothers and a gang of friends defined by poverty, bad attitudes and long greasy hair. The gang, called greasers, carry on a long-standing war with a group of rich kids, known as Socs, a fight fueled by ignorance and prejudice.An American coming-of-age classic, a story of friendship and social prejudice among a gang of friends.

The multi-award-winning SmartPass study guide with and without commentary options. Full-cast, unabridged performance with comprehensive commentary and analysis for any student to fully understand and appreciate the play. The poetry of Shakespeare's star crossed lovers is poignantly performed and expertly explained in this unique production: "Passion lends them power."

The Old Man and the Sea

The Old Man and the Sea is one of Hemingway's most enduring works. Told in language of great simplicity and power, it is the story of an old Cuban fisherman, down on his luck, and his supreme ordeal, a relentless, agonizing battle with a giant marlin far out in the Gulf Stream. Here Hemingway recasts, in strikingly contemporary style, the classic theme of courage in the face of defeat, of personal triumph won from loss.

Nineteen Eighty-Four

Big Brother is watching you.... 1984 is the year in which it happens. The world is divided into three superstates. In Oceania, the Party's power is absolute. Every action, word, gesture and thought is monitored under the watchful eye of Big Brother and the Thought Police. In the Ministry of Truth, the Party's department for propaganda, Winston Smith's job is to edit the past. Over time, the impulse to escape the machine and live independently takes hold of him and he embarks on a secret and forbidden love affair.

Stone Cold

Homeless, frightened and alone, Link finds himself down and out in London. He survives only because he is befriended by the streetwise Ginger, then Ginger disappears. Other kids are vanishing, too. Will Link be the next victim?

Cannery Row

In the din and stink that is Cannery Row a colourful blend of misfits - gamblers, whores, drunks, bums and artists - survive side by side in a jumble of adventure and mischief. Lee Chong, the astute owner of the well-stocked grocery store, is also the proprietor of the Palace Flophouse that Mack and his troupe of good-natured 'boys' call home. Dora, of the flaming orange hair and taste for Nile-green dresses, runs the brothel with clockwork efficiency and a generous heart.

Private Peaceful

Told in the voice of a young soldier, the story follows 24 hours in his life at the front during World War I, and captures his memories as he looks back over his life. Full of stunningly researched detail and engrossing atmosphere, the book leads to a dramatic and moving conclusion.

The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

This is the disturbing tale of the dual personality of Dr. Jekyll, a physician. A generous and philanthropic man, he is preoccupied with the problems of good and evil and with the possibility of separating them into distinct personalities. He develops a drug that transforms him into the demonic Mr. Hyde, in whose person he exhausts all the latent evil in his nature.

Heroes

Francis Joseph Cassavant is eighteen. He has just returned home from the Second World War, and he has no face. He does have a gun and a mission: to murder his childhood hero. Francis lost most of his face when he fell on a grenade in France. He received the Silver Star for bravery, but was it really an act of heroism? Now, having survived, he is looking for a man he once admired and respected, a man adored by many people, a man who also received a Silver Star for bravery. A man who destroyed Francis's life.

Ben says:"I have never had a book give me to tensing, nervousness in my stomach till now!"

Publisher's Summary

Between this work and The Grapes of Wrath, it's difficult to state definitively which was the more significant of John Steinbeck's works. However, there is no arguing the fact that he is one of the most important literary figures in American history.

Streetwise George and his big, childlike friend Lennie are drifters, searching for work in the fields and valleys of California. They have nothing except the clothes on their back, and a hope that one day they’ll find a place of their own and live the American dream. But dreams come at a price. Gentle giant Lennie doesn’t know his own strength, and when they find work at a ranch he gets into trouble with the boss’s daughter-in-law. Trouble so bad that even his protector George may not be able to save him....

I bought this as my son was studying Of Mice and Men for GCSE English Literature, and we listened to it in the car on the way to school. Even though he was already familiar with the story and the characters, my son and his younger brother thoroughly enjoyed listening to the audiobook read in an authentic American dialect by the excellent narrator. I loved it too, particularly the unhurried pace which is thoroughly in keeping with the novel.

I studied this book in High school and have always loved it. This audio book brought the characters alive once more and allowed me a perspective into the life of Americans during the depression. An excellent book and an excellent audio rendition.

"They" say, it's one of those books that should be on everyones bucket list. I have never read it and was intrigued. Overall, it isn't a bad book. The tension and the building of the story is done very well.It isn't a long book either and listened to it one afternoon.Would reccomend - although the narration is a little annoying at times, or maybe that is just my perception...

There was a time in my life when I read at least two books every year. These were Conrad's, "Heart of Darkness" and this one. Both are short by modern standards (recent Booker award notwithstanding), but each gives as complete a picture as one might hope for through the medium of words. I say this to disclose my bias. Yet, it has been ten years since I last read this classic. It has always been inspiring for me, particularly the account of the the demise of the old dog and the final juxtaposition of the two friends' farewell. He does juxtaposed story lines so well. But what I love most about Steinbeck is that he does not waste a word. Each one seems especially chosen, and it's hard to think of a better one to replace it. Truly intelligent design.

The reader will probably know the story and perhaps even the ending. I won't precise it. But even knowing one or both won't spoil the climax in my view.

The performance was first class too. If I could have given 4.5 stars, I would've. The only reason I haven't given 5 stars is because of the relativity against which I rate Ian Richardson and Linden Gregory. Peters is really very good indeed. His transition from male to female, black, to white, Lenny to George is almost faultless. I would not let the lost half star deter you from this excellent interpretation of a loved favourite.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Jaydee Larson

22/02/16

Overall

"A must-read classic."

It's hard to say what exactly makes this book such a good read, but I believe it must be the combination of a compelling and straightforward story, and an efficient and original use of language, characterized and settings. In brief: a good story just as good stories should be!

Clarke Peters delivers a terrific performance. It's simply superb the way he gives life to the various characters in the story.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Matthew

Singapore, Singapore

16/09/13

Overall

Performance

Story

"Magnificent"

As much I appreciated this piece of fiction, I have to confess that I’m thankful it was only a short time spent in the heartrending world of George and Lennie.

In some ways this is an easy listen --- the pacing is brisk, the characters are well-defined, the narrative is engaging and the performance from Clarke Peters is a delight.

But in some other very important ways, “Of Mice and Men” is a real challenge. The characters attitudes toward race and gender may be historically accurate but are – nonetheless – pretty hard to take. And the sense of impending calamity imbued in the writing may be masterful, but left me spent. By the time we reached the final scenes, my heart was truly broken.

I really did respect this novella and thoroughly recommend it, but can’t say I “enjoyed” it.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Sue

Healesville, Australia

12/08/13

Overall

Performance

Story

"A classic revisited"

Would you listen to Of Mice and Men again? Why?

This is a grim portrayal of a short period in the life of two men who have nothing but each other. It is classic Steinbech at his best, depicting depressing themes that lead us to the final punch in guts ending. I will listen to it again for sure.

What did you like best about this story?

I Love the way Steinbech unfolds the story through carefully crafted dialogue, exposing the downtrodden characters and the hopelessness of their situation.

Which character – as performed by Clarke Peters – was your favorite?

Of course the central character Lenny has to be my favourite. He is the true victim of the story, despite him being considered the perpetrator of the crime by most of the other characters.

Any additional comments?

Steinbech is a master at painting depressing scenes and equally depressing characters,but still luring us to want more for them, to crave the good outcome for them. Of course it never comes, and the powerful and confronting finale leaves you feeling shocked at the rawness of these people and at your own naiveity. Masterful writing.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

tatiana

Melbourne, Australia

14/10/12

Overall

Performance

Story

"Great Performance!"

The story is quite moving, and the performance of this audio book is exceptional, it reflects so much the characters.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Amazon Customer

Young, Australia

07/08/12

Overall

Performance

Story

"Must Read"

What made the experience of listening to Of Mice and Men the most enjoyable?

There is a reason this story has been around for so long. The narration was wonderful and completely drew us into the story. We were right there with George and Lenny.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Of Mice and Men?

The rabbits. :)

Which character – as performed by Clarke Peters – was your favorite?

Loved Lenny. The voicing was spot on,

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

a film you will never forget

Any additional comments?

This is one of those 'must read before you die books'. It is a classic and a great tale. one i'll never forget.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

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